Things sometimes move so fast it’s hard to keep up. This week I was thinking about all the changes in the works within my family. With 7 sons to keep up with, the challenge can be overwhelming at times.
So I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately and after thinking about it, I realized it wasn’t surprising at all.
Here is a brief summary of what is happening with the Maxeys.
One son just got a new job, one will turn 18 in a couple of weeks, another is buying his first home, another is moving to a new apartment. One is getting a new job, another is getting married soon and another is moving out of state. It’s no wonder I feel a bit overwhelmed! There’s so much going on, so many changes, so much growing on their part. But for me? The mom?
I think it’s a little like labor pains all over again. Something new is being birthed in all of them at the same time. I can do nothing but watch and pray.
Although my parenting job is coming to an end, as a parent, I will always be available for advice, (when asked!) and definitely for prayer. I am blessed by the number of times my boys come to me and just ask me to pray. They are learning to figure out their own lives but are wise enough to know they can’t succeed without God’s input.
As for me being overwhelmed, I only have to stop and remember that God isn’t surprised by any of it. If there’s one thing I’ve learned raising these sons, it’s that the job has ALWAYS been bigger than I can handle on my own.
When our kids are grown, we graduate from being a parent in the technical sense. But our influence and wisdom can still be of use to our kids. And that verse that we all know so well from Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” says it clearly. We invest what we can and then trust that God will help them take it the rest of the way. The key word in that verse is a little one. It’s the word “go” and that is exactly what they do. They are with us for a while and then they go. Off to experience life on their own.
If you are a parent, in any stage of the process, be encouraged that God has your kids in his sight. Pray for each one today, that they would walk with God. Even when they are out of your sight, they are never out of His.
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. Psalm 127:3-5 (ESV)
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13 (ESV)